Breakfast of Champions?

It's not toasted, golden, buttery or even warm. Personally, just making it gives me the heebie jeebies, but my #2 son loves them. If you can't tell it's a bagel with cream cheese. A plain bagel with cream cheese. Can you tell it's not toasted? Yes folks it never saw the light of a toaster. No, the cream cheese is not melting as you spread it, becoming nice and gooey, because it's not even warm.

With 4 kids, you gotta figure one of them is going to be a little different when it comes to eating. This is only one of the things...

xoxo ~L

Let us not forget!

I've been thinking about this day for the last few weeks. I really believe from all that I'm seeing and reading, that many Americans in our country have forgotten how they felt this day, 7 years ago.

If they would really reach back into the recesses of their minds, and recall the outrage, gall, and despair we were all feeling, no one would be complaining about our current government!

Watch, and remember!



I pray that the victims and their famalies have found some peace. I thank the soldiers fighting for our country! I am proud to be an American!

Never Forget!

xoxo ~L

Sweet, sweet baby girls

Hi folks, Kelly here. Mom seems to be up to her eyeballs with homework, cooking, cleaning and trying to keep her sanity. Somehow she seems to think we all have a hearing problem.

Well, at least the boys do...not me :) I'm an angel, sent from up above! I never get into trouble or mischief! For those of you not aquainted with the lovely sweet nature of a baby girl, let me fill you in. We only shriek when we need something. We only throw a hissy fit when we need something. We only take all our clothes and diaper off (like Houdini) and run around naked when we feel like it. And can I just tell you how much FUN it is! I mean really...the birthday suit is just so freeing! I love to run and laugh and giggle while my mom pulls out her hair. Don't worry though, those spots are starting to grow back in:)


No, if you haven't had a sweet little girl baby in your casa, I suggest you beg, borrow or steal to get one of us! Well, not the steal part.

xoxo ~Kelly

Clean slate, so to speak!

Does this look familiar? Do you have a ton of stuff on your refrigerator? Mine is like everything else in my house...over run with CLUTTER. I always start the school year with the best of intentions. I tell myself I will only put up the things that I absolutely need to see at a moments notice! This would include the school calendar, and what?...What do you really need to see right away at a moments notice? Do I need the cutie pie picture of Kelly when she was 6 mos. old, and it was her first Christmas? Do I need the chronological pictures of the "kids" for Christmas cards since 2004? Bottle opener? Toys? Multiplication table? Nope, not needed.

I am trying to organize myself. The anxiety and stress I feel over the amount of clutter on top of every surface in my house overwhelms me sometimes. Yes, I have issues, but at least I know it :) I am proud to say I have cleaned up the front of my refrigerator! There's a trick...

Stainless Steel!

Now, I don't want to present the illusion that I have de-cluttered, hired a "family coach" and/or have become extremely organized! I honestly did not know my things wouldn't stick to our new refrigerator. OK, stop laughing. You're hurting my feelings. I know I'm not the sharpest stick in the woods. Is that a correct euphimism? Is that how you spell euphimism?

Just to "keep it real".

Don't even talk to me about the fingerprints, ok? I didn't say it was clean.

xoxo ~L

Abracadabra

Wondering if it's worth the money? Oh yeah, baby, it's worth it! I can not stand the fact that whenever I make a cake the center rises up and I'm forced to either pretend I'm a professional cake decorator and cut the "top" off horizontally. Or decorate my cake as a dome. I'm pretty much screwed with either option.

So when I saw these in the store, and I have seen them for awhile, I figured why not! I had a couple family birthday's coming up. Besides $8 didn't seem like too much to part with for a magic trick.

Please note the overall flatness of this cake. Oh, and the creamy frosting center...mmmm! Anyway, it worked! Inside the box, are 2 strips of a padded silver fabric. Think oven mitt. You soak them in water, ring out the excess, and pin them (similar to floral pins) around your cake pan. The beauty is you can use them on a 9x13 pan also. Just pin the strips together. Then cook as normal, and watch the magic begin :)

I'm no science whiz, so I don't even pretend to know why they work, just that they do! So feel free to use them. They are not a hoax.

No, I do not moonlight as a cake decorator. This is just a new obsession for me. Need that like a hole in the head:)

xoxo ~L

There goes my baby!

I haven't been here the last couple days. I've been a quivering, watery, blubbering mess that's been hiding under the covers, now that my 3rd baby is off to kindergarten.

I have to admit, I surprised myself with these emotions. After all, I'd done the kindergarten routine twice before. Jack way back in 2001 and Finn went back in 2004. The big difference was when Jack and Finn went they were in a private school, where I drove them everyday.

We have since decided to pull our kids out of private school (way too expensive, now that we were going to be paying for 3), and go to our local schools. This was after a lot of talk with our kids, the local school staff, and other parents in our neighborhood.

But, I digress...So here I was packing Mr. Dunny off for his 1st day of kindergarten. Super hero backpack, check! New lunchbox, with favorite sandwich, check! Drilled into his head the bus he rides to and fro...even though his brother rides with him, check! Knows our home phone number, check! So we covered everything again, and walked up to the bus stop on this beautiful sunny day! Everyone was so excited. This was going to be a real treat. One no one in our family had done before. This was big, I mean huge. I think it was on par with taking a spaceship to the moon, it was going to be so fun!

We had only waited a few minutes, until the big yellow bus came around the bend. Ohhhh, the excitement was building even more. It was here. At this point I was fine. Nothing to it. I took a picture, and was all ready to wave. But as I watched him disappear into the abyss of the bus aisle, and then saw his little head in the window, just barely above the window line. He had a big smile and was waving furiously, as if I wouldn't see him! The bus doors closed, the blinking flashers stopped and the engine roared to life moving my precious cargo forward.

Oh my word, I couldn't take it. The tear ducts just opened up and started flowing! I was so surprised at myself. Oh, I'm a romantic sure. I cry at commercials, movies, tv shows all that good stuff. But I've never been emotional sending a child off to school. Usually, I'm just happy for them. The great world of learning, independence and socializing...woohoo! But not that day. That day I bawled my eyes out. So here's to you my littlest man going on the biggest journey ever. I love you, and can't wait to hear, everyday, all about it!

Don't miss out...

It's here! It's finally here! The answer to one of my biggest issues. How do I talk on the phone, cuddle a baby, read, eat, play a game, or pet my dog without getting tangled up in a cumbersome blanket?

Answer....The snuggie!!!

Yes, you're days of gettin all caught up inside a blanket are over. Now some genius has invented the snuggie. A blanket with sleeves! It's made of warm soft fleece, and comes in a few different colors.

Yes, I know I was thinking the same thing...isn't this a robe put on backwards? No, No...this is truly different. It's floor length. OK?! FLOOR LENGTH!!! I mean dragging behind you long! That way you're warm "from head to toe".

So, I really felt it my duty to let you all in on this wonderful opportunity. So don't miss out...



Your Welcome!
xoxo ~L

15 years...

When you get married, you know it's going to last forever, right?! I always thought that. I grew up with that. My husband grew up with it, also. Both our parents are still married. Well, my dad is a widower, but you get the point. They showed us how you get thru it. Stand by each other thru thick and thin. I must admit, this isn't always my strongest trait. Hubby on the other hand, has it in spades! His mantra in life is all about loyalty, and integrity. I have to put them together, as they really are one in the same for him. This is why I love him so.

Can he be a pain? Sure, you bet. Does he get on my nerves...daily? Pretty much. Do I nag him no end? Uh, Huh!!! But, we have that ability to see each other as we are. Flaws, and all. We accept them, cherish them and actually find comfort in them. Why? Because no one is perfect, and if you start thinking you are, watch out you're in trouble.

Lest you think this isn't much of an anniversary, lovey dovey post. Let me tell you all the wonderful things we (more hubby, than I) do for each other.

He does the dishes, and cleans the kitchen every night. I make dinner :)
He reads to the children and has a fun bedtime routine with them. I watch :)
On the due date of our lost pregnancy/baby this year, he wrote me a wrenching heartfelt card (nevermind, that his pain was just as great as mine).
He will give me a "day-off" every once in a while, just cause he knows I need it. I let him :)
Whenever I have a complaint, he listens, accepts, and works on whatever it is I've suggested he work on. I do this a lot :)
He cleans bathrooms, does laundry, knows how the dishwasher works, and won't ever hire a housekeeper...because he's willing to help out :)
He is my pitbull. I am the labrador :)
He is my champion. He is my love. He is my life.
He has had to jump huge hurdles in life, and yet never complains once.
He will surprise me by just offering to do something, or the way he'll respond to a certain situation.

Most important of all...he is funny. I mean really, really funny. He is a big goofball, and is never afraid to make a fool of himself in front of the kids...just to get a laugh. He walks around the house singing his own made up versions of songs, or a clip of some favorite song. The kids have taken to do this as well. It is extremely hilarious!

So honey, I thank you for some of the best and also the hardest times of my life. Fifteen years. I know sometimes I didn't think we'd be here. But you...you always knew we would!

I'll love you forever! You are my soulmate, and one hell of a guy :)

Oh, and by the way...I think this pretty much set the tone :)

xoxo ~L

Alert...Notice to song of the day listeners.

Lately, I been trying to work out, and become a little healthier. My mother died very early in life due to poor reperatory/circulation problems. Nevermind, she smoked her entire life, and her parents, brother, and sisters all had the same issues. I will actually learn from my parents mistakes. I can't believe I just said that...now I know I'm an adult.

In this quest of better health, I usually find myself very gung-ho at first. Only later to be petered out by a bunch of rationales. You know...Oh, I'll do it tomorrow. I can't overload myself, that's not good either. I've done really well, what's one more day?! Could I be any more pathetic?!

So to keep myself more motivated, I've been listening to a lot of my "old" music, whle working out. I will more than likely be posting a lot of these, as I run across them. Some of these bands you may not have heard of. But I hope you will perhaps learn a new song/band that you may like the sound of, and even look into getting a cd. I learned about these bands back in the 80's mostly, when I dated a guy who listened to "alternative" rock. I think they still use that term...but a lot of those "would be" alternative bands nowadays have made it into good old regular pop music.

Not the best video I've ever seen, but this is a rockin song.

So, let me know if you have a favorite, or if you've found something you liked here, at song of the day.
xoxo ~L

Ahhh....The Good 'Ole County Fair

Ya know, there's nothing we enjoy more, or look forward to more, than our annual county fair! So much to see and do! The sweet soft pink piglets sucking on their momma, who's completely conked out whilst they do this! (Not that I could relate to that). There are the ducklings, all yellow and fuzzy sitting under their heat lamp. Again, not that I would ever do that! Oh and yes, the baby calf who had been born just under 36 hrs. prior to our visit. His little legs were still wobbly, he looked knock knee'd. Somehow this reminded me of my painful, awkward teenage years. I have issues, alright?!

So there we are strolling along, admiring all the other exhibits. There were all the judging categories. Cakes, pies, largest tomato, best watercolor, primitive art, etc.... Then I spied a new exhibit booth. One that was colorful, eclectic, funky and kooky...


Okie dokie!! Evidently in these parts "toilet decorating" is an art form that deserves a blue ribbon at our county fair. Hmmmm...looking forward to next year with much anticipation ;)

xoxo ~L

Dear Breyers...

Dear Breyers,

I'm writing to let you know that as of tomorrow, or maybe right this minute, I will be calling my broker to buy as many shares of your stock as possible! Obviously, since you've made your packages smaller (1.75 quarts down to 1.50 quarts), your profits will be huge! I know, I know, it's really the fact of the rising cost to transport your yummy ice cream, wink, wink. Also, undoubtedly you didn't want to hit your faithful, loyal, and I suppose generally stupid customers with a price increase. Hence, the brilliant idea to just make a smaller package.

I'm sure as it was discussed in your executive board room, you instinctively knew no one would notice a little bit smaller pakage. But, oh they would notice a price increase. So for obvious reasons, you don't even have to make a "comment" on this latest downsizing, just keeping the one that occured a year ago on your web site. Ingenious!

I will warn you though, that Edy's has caught on to this little gem of an idea as well. So truly I find myself at a quandry as to which company to invest my money in. But again, I say bravo to those of you at the top (who I'm sure are making huge salary sacrifices) just to meet your margins. By putting all these strategies together you're sure to see more and more greenbacks headed your way :)

Let's just hope that Turkey Hill doesn't find out about this! They've made a huge miscalculation on letting their packages stay the same size. So their 1.75 quart packages are going to look awfully funny next to yours. Hahahaha...the jokes on them!

So, thank you, thank you, thank you! Once again big business has come out right where they should be...on top!

xoxo ~L

Back From Vacation

Well all, I am back! And boy am I honked off!!! First of all the "new foodnetwork star" was such a disapointment! I couldn't believe it. I was explaining to hubby that they had their bases covered, and it really just depended on what kind of show they were looking for.

I thought Lisa and her Beautiful Basicshow was down to earth, and I would definately watch. She had a lot of hidden talents...the girl has got some lungs! But, I came home to catch Bobby Flays The Main Ingredient on lifetime (this show debuted in 1996). Now, I don't think Bobby is the kind of guy who feels threatened in his greatness, but maybe, just maybe, he thought Lisa was doing a take off of his show?!

Well, for whatever reason, I guess I have to say congratulations to Aaron McCargo Jr. I hope you become the star you worked so hard to become :)

xoxo ~L

On Vacation

We are off for 2 weeks, will miss you all!

An oldie, but a goodie! Family Ties

Who didn't want to jump into their TV set and live with this family? Or were you someone that decided you were more like one of the characters on the show, and just enjoyed watching? Either way, this show became an instant hit, and it's obvious to see why. Boy I miss this kind of family TV show. Now that I have children ages 2-12, these shows are sorely missed. Where, ow where are the 80's executives, that recognize the value of "family values". Uh, hello?!

Somebody, please help!

xoxo ~L

What a Hottie...Jim Rockford

Yes! Yes! Yes! I was a lovesick teen. Man, this guy had everything a rebelious girl like myself could want. Attitude, penchant for trouble, and an awesome car! Oh, and he always found a lady in there somehow. I'm sure if he'd known me, he would've really, really liked me. Maybe I could've passed his producer a note in gym class.

Hey a girl can dream, can't she :)

xoxo ~L

Continuing with TV Themes...Greatest American Hero

Man, I loved this show! It had everything going for it...goofy guy, heart throb girl, tough guy to help out the goofy guy! This song just popped into my head the other day, and I have yet to get it
out. So now I'm just singing it all day long, and my kids think I'm crazy.

I can remember buying the 45 for my record player (this was before the CD), and playing it over and over in my room. It just made an awkward pre-adolescent girl with no figure, acne, short hair and who was skinny as a rail feel a little bit better about who she was.

Sigh...ahhh, the good old days...when I was skinny as a rail. None of that other stuff:)

Then there was this to freshen up our memory...

T.V. theme week...tune in...Hahahaha.

I don't know why, but it popped into my head about all the great songs that came from television. Not that Love boat was a "hit", but we all...admit it, own it, c'mon now...loved that show! I couldn't wait to see who the crazy characters were. The couple that found each other, because of the destiny of The Love Boat. I'm a sucker for romance! How about you? What shows made you wait with baited breath to see the next episode (o.k. besides Dallas)?

Happy Anniversary to My BFF and her Hubby

Well, I really wish I had a picture of the 2 of you! Happy Anniversary...15 years. I think I speak for all of us, when I say...I know what you're doing tonight :P

xoxo ~L

Happy Birthday to my Firstborn

Wow, twelve years goes by fast. But I remember your story like it was yesterday!

We had tried for years, and years to have a baby. We'd seen a specialist...the best in the area, and had tried a very expensive medicine to help me et pregnant. We could only afford one cycle, and during that cycle, my egg just disappeared one day. The nurse said sometimes that happens, and we could try again next time. I let her know we would get back in touch when we could afford it. After a few months, hubby was going to get a big commission check, so I called the nurse to say we would be able to do a treatment the next month. Of course, I hadn't had a period since the last time I'd seen her. This wasn't unusual for me, and there is a medicine, that can induce your period. She told me, by law you must have a blood pregnancy test before the prescription can be filled. So at lunch I went in for blood work. Later as I was getting ready to leave my office for the day, the nurse called. I was expecting her call, and would let her know which pharmacy she could send the Rx to. Imagine my surprise when she says "Lisa, you're pregnant." I didn't actually believer her! I said it's me Lisa S****." She said "Lisa, I know. You really are pregnant." For those of you that have gone thru this, you know the tight bond you have with your nurse. I could hear her smile through the phone. We were both just in shock! It felt soooo good!

I couldn't believe it. Who do I call? What do I tell my co-workers?...I know they've heard me on the phone. When did this happen? Holy Moly!

I couldn't wait...I called hubby right away! He could barely believe it either. We rejoiced, cried, laughed, and thanked God.

The very next day, I had a sonogram to "date" my pregnancy. It wasn't unusual for me to go a number of months with no "monthly visit", if you know what I mean. So imagine our surprise when my fertility Dr. starts the sonogram to see how far along I am and we see a little baby moving around. I mean full fledge head, legs, feet, hands, spine, eyes, etc... an actual little baby...Holy Moly!!! We all were in awe, and immediately started crying. I've never ever felt those tears of joy in the same way again.

Our joy was shortlived. The next day my regular OB/GYN Dr. called and told us something was wrong with the baby, and to come in right away. He did a sonogram, and showed us that there was very little amniotic fluid, and that this ALMOST ALWAYS meant that something was WRONG with the baby. What?!?! This couldn't be happening! He suggested an Amnio to find out exactly what was wrong. Being my first pregnancy, I figured we should go along with that. It made sense, didn't it?! The day came for the amnio, and I was so nervous, I was sweating in places I won't mention. I told my OB/GYN that I didn't like the odds of miscarriage after amnio, and he asked me this simple question:

Dr: What will you do with the results of the Amnio?

Me: Nothing.

Dr: Nothing?

Me: Well, I most certainly wouldn't terminate this pregnancy!

Dr: Then lets just skip the amnio, and we can keep a close watch on things, by sonogram. We'd have to do that to watch the baby grow, anyway.

Me: Really? (with great relief!!!)

Dr: Yup!

Me: OK!

Dr: OK, get dressed and I'll see you in my office.

That was that!! Anytime I would hear Natalie Merchant sing "Wonder", I felt as though she were predicting the outcome or our pregnancy. Listen to the words...my heart still fills with Joy everytime I hear it.

To make a long story short...our faith told us that God had given us this baby, and God would take care of this baby. We knew to let His will be done.

6 mos. later and a few complications along the way (bed rest, diabetes, still no improvement in fluid) our beautiful son Jack was born. He was 2 weeks early (not considered preemie) and healthy as a horse. None of the Dr.'s or specialists I saw could ever tell us why the amniotic fluid was so low. Frankly, it didn't matter! He was here, and he was in our arms safe and sound.

So here's to my first born son. All my children came to me in a special way, but I consider you our very first miracle! The one who started it all!

Dude, You the Man!

Love, Mom